Nutritional Cures for Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that develops because too much uric acid builds up in the body and uric acid crystals form deposits in the joints. When this occurs, the affected joints can become inflamed and painful to the touch. The condition, which often strikes at night, typically affects the big toe or other joints in the feet first and then can spread to other joints. Several medicines--prescription and over-the-counter--are available to both treat and prevent gout attacks, but there are some nutritional treatments you can try as well.

Gout Diet

• If you are prone to gout and experience frequent flare-ups, you may want to consider changing your diet to try to prevent the attacks. Gout has been linked to the consumption of purines, a protein that occurs naturally in some foods. By changing your diet to eliminate or strictly limit purine intake, you may be able to prevent gout attacks. High-purine foods include game meats, sweetbreads, organ meats and some fish, including herring, mackerel and sardines. Other protein sources, including red meat, poultry, seafood and legumes, contain lesser amounts of purines and are a better choice.
  Beer and other alcoholic beverages are also high in purines and can bring on a gout attack in people prone to the condition. If you adopt the gout diet to prevent the condition, it is important to either completely eliminate or strictly limit alcohol consumption.

Berries

• Dark berries such as cherries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and even strawberries have properties that can fight inflammation, which is what causes pain in people with gout. Eating these fruits every day can help treat gout. Cherries, especially, can be beneficial because studies have shown they can help lower uric acid levels. If you want to try berries to treat gout, you will have to eat them every day. Try eating between a half-cup to a cup of berries or between 12 and 15 cherries each day. You can also try drinking a glass of cherry juice.

Vitamin C

• Eating plenty of Vitamin C or taking a Vitamin C supplement can also help treat gout because it can lower the amount of uric acid in your blood. Good food sources of Vitamin C include most fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, melon, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and bell pepper. If you do not eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, consider taking a supplement. Speak with your doctor first, however, because too much Vitamin C can actually increase uric acid levels and make gout worse.